Sariel

Willow did it. She left him a broken mess, and I love her for it. As soon as he realized she’d gone, I felt his will crumble along with his heart, and I lifted my walls to take control. Honestly, I don’t know if he’ll recover, but I can’t allow myself to care. I need to finish this fight once and for all and get my Selah back. The asshole she’s with isn’t worthy of the ground she walks on.

I need to see her. Even if it’s just for a moment. Revving the engine of Devin’s Harley, I ride down the streets of Seattle, searching aimlessly, letting my heart make my decisions. Everything stops when I see her. Selah stands in line outside the same jazz club Reese used to work at, arms crossed, a slight frown on her face. Parking the bike in the alley, I stride toward the crowd of people, stomach rolling with nerves. What am I going to say to her?

As soon as I see her, jealousy takes hold. She’s not alone. My heart stutters as she smiles up at Adam. What kind of name is that? The kind an asshole has. If I had the power, I’d destroy him where he stands. I see her lips form the words, “I love you,” and I nearly fall to my knees in the middle of the sidewalk. Before she can see me standing there staring, I turn and head back to the bike. How can she love him? She’s meant for only me. We are fated.

Heart aching just as badly as Devin’s, I speed away through the night on a search for some purpose. Maybe I can find and stop Lucifer here and now.

Or maybe you’ll end up killing us both.

“I thought you were licking your wounds, vampire?”

She hates me now, but forever is a long time. One day, she’ll come back.

“Devin. You have months left. You know I can’t let you have control again after we’ve reached the end of our agreed-upon term. Not if I’m going to be with Selah.”

It doesn’t look like you’re going to get her. She’s happy. Why would you want to fuck that up for her?

He has a point. But then I remember the feel of her hand in mine, the slight hitch of her breath when our eyes connected. She knows I’m something special. I can’t give up. This is the only chance for us.

“I’m sorry, Devin. I didn’t want it to work out this way.”

Devin’s anger is a dull throb in the backs of my eyes. Pulling over, I pinch the bridge of my nose. I expected this. Not so soon, but I did know it would happen. A pang reverberates throughout my chest, starting in my heart and pulling me toward an unknown destination.

“What is this?”

Devin pushes for control. Willow. I can’t leave her to fend for herself. She’s not able to manage her hunger.

“She doesn’t want you.” Working to keep my panic at bay, I try to remain neutral. “She hates you. You ruined her.”

A stab of pain races through me, and I know it’s Devin’s hurt I’m feeling.

She might hate me, but I’m responsible for her. Now, let me have my body back so I can take care of this.

* * *

Willow

My chest hurts. I can’t breathe. Why does this feel so awful? It’s as if the farther away he gets, the worse the ache becomes. Is this some kind of punishment?

Throat burning with hunger, I stalk through the crowded club. I need to find someone to feed on. But I can’t do that. I know I won’t be able to stop. I’ll kill whomever I feed on … unless it’s Devin. Ugh, just the thought of him makes my clit throb with need. Now I’m hungry and horny. Shit.

A dark-haired man with a goatee and an eyebrow piercing catches my eye from across the room. Maybe he’ll do. If I can lure him to the bathroom, I can feed and no one will know. I won’t even have to dispose of the body.

Fuck. What am I thinking? Body? I can’t murder the poor guy. Damn it, I hate Devin. But the man smiles at me and crosses the dance floor, his lower lip pulled between his teeth as he slicks back his hair. Oh, he’s a handsome devil, and he’d probably be a good fuck, but my fangs descend and the pull of his blood is almost too much to bear. I can’t focus on any need other than the hunt.

“Hey, baby. You look lonely over here. Can I get you something to drink?”

My gaze zeroes in on his neck, the steady beat of his pulse making his carotid artery flutter rhythmically. I can smell the sweetness in his blood, like … cotton candy.

“I need you to take care of something for me.” I force the words from my lips even as I’m mesmerized by the thrum of his blood.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

Standing, I walk in the direction of the restrooms, knowing he’s following like a horny puppy. The moment we’re safely behind the door, he’s on me, pushing me against the wall and kissing me harder than I’d like. But then, the world fades away as he shifts and his neck meets my eager lips.

Fangs slipping deep into his neck, I drink deep. His sweet blood coats my tongue, a cloying candy-like flavor, filling me, making me powerful, but at the same time leaving me feeling sick. His pulse hammers in my ears as I continue to drain him, slowing gradually. Until the sweetness turns bitter and my stomach churns, but I’m so hungry I can’t stop. Somehow, I manage to find the willpower needed to stop before he dies. He’s smiling, eyes closed and happy. The massive wet spot on the front of his pants proves my bite is just as orgasmic as Devin’s. Guilt washes over me. Was this like cheating? Surely Devin can’t be the only one who would feed me.

Without warning, my whole body heats, tingles racing through me as my head spins and a wave of lust crashes over me like a tsunami. Vision blurring and head feeling foggy, I run my hands over my curves. Damn, my skin is hot, and I’m turned on as fuck. My nipples ache as my pussy floods with arousal. What the hell? Stumbling through the crowded club, I hold on to anything I can to help me stay upright.

“This is not normal,” I mutter under my breath as I sway in my spot. I’m so close to the exit. If I can get outside, into the fresh, clean air, maybe I can clear my head.

As soon as I breach the door, I discover I was wrong. Need slams into me, so strong my knees buckle and I have to grip the brick exterior of the building. What is fucking going on? I fed my Watcher. I fed my bloodlust. I shouldn’t be feeling like this, should I? Is this what vampires experience all the time? If so, no wonder they turn into crazed murderers. I lean heavily on the building as I try to get my bearings. This can’t last forever. If it does, I have no clue how I’ll manage.

A handsome man stands on the corner, eyeing me. I feel like I should know him, but my world is spinning, and I can’t focus. Squinting, I assess him as I walk closer. He’s tall, dressed in leather, with his arms crossed over his chest as he leans against the lamppost. Oh, fuck. Through my addled brain, I put the jumbled pieces of this picture together.

“Leave me the fuck alone, Devin. I told you. I. Hate. You.” My words are slurred and I sound like I’m on the verge of laughing, or maybe crying.

“Willow, what’s wrong with you?”

Waving my hands around makes me feel like I’m swimming through the cold air. I giggle and slump without warning. But his hands catch me by the waist. “Whoa. What’s going on?”

An involuntary moan escapes me. “Oh, shit, Devin. Stop touching me.” I lean in, the feel of his fingers as they dig in at the small of my back sends ripples of sensation straight to my clit. “Or never stop. Your hands feel so good.”

I’m shameless as I press against him, my hands tugging at his shirt, searching for skin and muscles, and … Devin. Then he licks me. His tongue slides over the line of my neck, and he inhales. I want to pull his dick free and ride him like a bronco right here in the middle of the sidewalk.

He sighs, but not in a way that makes me think of arousal. This sounds like the sigh a parent might give a child who’d just made a terrible decision. “You’ve fed from someone.” There’s a serious edge to his voice. He’s not happy I sank my fangs into some random guy, and I can’t say I don’t like knowing he’s jealous.

“A girl’s got to eat.”

“You can feed from me.” Shaking my head, I move to push away, but he pulls me tighter. “No, Angel. Your dinner for the night was laced with ecstasy. You’re high as a fucking kite. I’m not letting you go anywhere.”

Ecstasy. Huh, if I’d known this was how awesome I’d feel, maybe I wouldn’t have been so against drugs. Then again, I probably would have ended up dead in a ditch somewhere. Shrugging, I giggle again. Instead, I ended up a vampire. And now I remember why I hate Devin.

Shoving at his chest, I try to get away, but the bastard holds me tight. “Let go of me.” He only pulls me closer. I can feel his erection pressing into my belly, and damn it, my core clenches.

“You’re coming home with me.”

“No.” Stamping my foot, I try to break free, using every ounce of my strength and all my martial arts knowledge. Unfortunately, mind-altering substances and coordination do not go hand in hand. Eventually, I go for the classic head butt. Rearing back, I slam my head forward, but Devin moves his body just enough, and I end up slamming into his shoulder, sending blinding pain up my nose and making my knees give. Stunned and dazed, I try to break through the haze of pain, but I’m airborne, head hanging behind him with my ass in the air as he tosses me over his shoulder.

“I said you’re coming with me. Now shut your mouth before I have to gag you.”

Giving in, I let him cart me away. His fingers keep grazing my inner thigh as he adjusts his grip on me, and I don’t want the feeling to stop. I want to let him make me come again and again. We can do that if I go with him.

I can always leave again tomorrow.